Chapter 214: The Twelve Schemes of Stability Stealing the Sky and Changing the Sun

Why did Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren suddenly slip out quietly from their hiding spot?

Fortunately, Li Changshou hadn't completely let his guard down around Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren. Although most of his attention was focused on the battles in the Nanhai, he had still spared a wisp of his mind to keep an eye on these two trump card experts at all times.

The moment Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren emerged from the cave in that deserted island and hadn't yet used their shentong to escape, Li Changshou's paper daoren hidden in the seawater darted out.

It was an ordinary sea fish that traced a parabolic arc through the air, scattering a few drops of glistening water.

With a puff, the fish exploded and transformed into the form of a kind-eyed old immortal, landing in front of the two Daoist masters.

"Two seniors, why did you suddenly come out?"

Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren exchanged a glance. As the latter was about to speak, the former stroked his beard and coughed lightly, laughing as he said:

"It's a bit stuffy inside, so we came out for a stroll.

"However, Sea God brother, your hiding technique is quite impressive. You actually managed to deceive both me and Huanglong shixiong."

Well, clearly, you two just didn't bother to check!

Li Changshou quickly replied, "This junior didn't mean to hide on purpose. This avatar of mine arrived here several months ago.

"I've been using the transformation technique to turn into a wandering fish, swimming with the schools every day. Perhaps that's how I inadvertently slipped past you two seniors.

"Is there some urgent matter, senior? Or have you noticed something unusual?"

"No, no, nothing's wrong. Just came out for some fresh air. Ahem, you go ahead with your business."

Zhao Gongming waved his hand and pulled Huanglong Zhenren back toward the cave, leaving Li Changshou feeling quite puzzled.

Add one more point for the confusing behavior of these San Jiao experts.

For now, Li Changshou decided not to hide his paper daoren anymore.

He bowed toward the cave, held his fly-whisk, and sat cross-legged behind a reef, using the Turtle Breath Calming Qi Art and an illusion technique to minimize the chances of being detected.

At the moment, his mind was stretched too thin across so many places; he really couldn't spare the time to give more instructions to Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren.

The situation in the Nanhai was on the verge of exploding;

Enemy forces had already started appearing near the Donghai, but they were extremely cunning, and the spies that the Long Zu had placed everywhere still hadn't found any leads.

Besides the Nanhai and Donghai, Li Changshou had to reserve some mental focus for his shifu and shimei.

To completely rule out any possibility of a sneak attack on his home base!

He was also worried that the Western Teachings might pull off some major scheme, so he had to keep an eye on several high-risk spots in the Donghai and Nanhai.

All in all, the places Li Changshou needed to monitor right now were far too numerous.

"Sigh..."

What was all this talk of strategizing from afar and winning battles from a thousand li away? It was just scattering paper daoren one after another.

The Donghai remained relatively calm, and the second wave of reinforcements heading to the Nanhai Long Gong had already set off.

Naturally, the atmosphere for the Long Zu wedding had been affected to some extent.

The guests were all a bit baffled, wondering why the usually submissive deep-sea great demons would dare to launch an attack on the Long Gong.

The Jie Jiao immortals already in the Long Gong were prepared to step in and help Ao Yi.

After all, Jie Jiao wasn't afraid of escalating things—the bigger the mess, the more experts from Jie Jiao would jump in.

By now, there were less than two hours left until the auspicious time for Ao Yi's wedding.

After thinking it over, Ao Yi went to consult the highest-ranking Long Zu elder in the clan, suggesting they postpone his wedding by a day so the Long Zu could focus all their forces to wipe out the enemies attacking the Nanhai Long Gong.

In the end, Ao Yi was scolded by that old elder, who told him to just focus on what he needed to do that day.

Ao Yi had wanted to complain to his teacher and seek some advice, but he was pulled away by his older brother Ao Jia, who took him off to freshen up.

Compared to the overly responsible Ao Yi, the handsome and eight-chi-tall Crown Prince of the Donghai Long Gong, Ao Jia, seemed rather carefree.

Ao Jia laughed and said:

"Silly brother, don't worry about it. Our Long Zu has been around since ancient times and has survived countless disasters, big and small, yet we've always stood strong!

"You and I haven't fully mastered our abilities yet, so there's no need for us to fret over this."

Ao Yi: ...

Indeed, his teacher seemed a hundred times more reliable than his own brother.

No, ten thousand times!

In just three hours, the Nanhai Long Gong had suffered over a hundred thousand casualties.

When the battle first erupted, it was three waves of 'mysterious' armies launching a surprise attack on the Nanhai Long Gong.

The well-prepared Nanhai Long Gong immediately tightened their defensive formations, relying on the multiple layers of great arrays on the seabed to hold off the enemy while mobilizing their forces to encircle the invaders from the outskirts.

After rounds of encirclement, counter-encirclement, flank harassment, and counter-counter-encirclement—the standard maneuvers.

The waters around the Nanhai Long Gong for thousands of li were littered with the dead and wounded sea creatures!

The turbulent waves on the sea surface were piled high with all sorts of rare, delicious ingredients.

Things like hundred-zhang-long squid tentacles, three-zhang-long giant lobsters, and crabs as big as tree canopies.

Because of the intense battles underwater, bursts of true fire and spell fire kept erupting—these flames, which ordinary seawater couldn't extinguish, would rise continuously, either directly grilling the ingredients or heating the water for a slow simmer.

The crab shells quickly turned red.

If Xiong Lingli saw this scene, given her compassionate nature and her habit of burying flowers, she would surely burst into tears, with the tears streaming straight into her stomach.

Li Changshou couldn't do much to help with the Nanhai situation.

That place was just a 'secondary stage,' while the real main stage was still at the Donghai Long Gong.

After observing the Nanhai battle for a while through his pre-placed paper daoren, Li Changshou gradually formed this idea:

The Western Teachings had probably prepared several major plans this time and would choose the right moment to use them.

No matter who was in charge for the Western Teachings, since they'd invested so many resources, they were bound to expect some return.

The Western Teachings' goal was to terrify the Long Zu and then bring them under their control.

By this point, Li Changshou was certain that the Western Teachings were willing to suffer heavy losses to severely damage the Nanhai Long Gong and use the rebelling sea clans to create pressure, forcing the Donghai Long Wang, as the Long Zu patriarch, to bow his head.

If that's the case.

The Western Teachings' saint disciples must be nearby in the Donghai, ready to appear at the Donghai Long Gong to demonstrate the might of their Western saints.

At Xuan Du Da Fa Shi's side, Li Changshou rested his hand on his forehead, deep in thought.

The great mage could sense that Li Changshou's mind was racing at full speed, so he didn't interrupt and just waited with a smile.

After a while, Li Changshou spoke up: "Great Mage."

"Hmm?"

"Hold on, this disciple's thinking isn't thorough enough yet." Li Changshou gave an apologetic smile and continued pondering.

The great mage didn't press further; he just nodded with a smile and did a quick divination.

This time, the great mage raised an eyebrow, pointed at the crystal mirror, and said: "Changshou, look here."

Li Changshou looked up and saw dark ocean depths where massive shadows were swiftly gliding by—they appeared to be enormous octopuses.

The great mage said calmly: "This place is less than a hundred thousand li from the Donghai Long Gong. Their timing is remarkably precise, just as the wedding is about to begin.

"What's the exact situation in the Nanhai right now?"

"The Nanhai is locked in a stalemate. I don't know what's gotten into the Western Teachings this time," Li Changshou frowned. "Logically, the best strategy would be a diversion to lure away the tigers, then withdraw immediately and keep harassing.

"But this time, the demon soldiers and fierce beasts they've gathered have already lost about thirty percent of their forces, yet they're still not retreating.

"This has me truly baffled."

The great mage pondered for a moment and chuckled: "It's because of that Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus."

"This disciple doesn't understand."

"The Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus that the Western Teachings use to suppress their teachings' luck is probably reaching its limit and can't protect so many beings burdened with karma—demons, beasts, and the vicious lot."

The great mage explained patiently: "The group they sent to the Nanhai was likely intended to be sacrificed there.

"If they can exchange those lives for the Long Zu's loyalty, the Western Teachings will consider it a great victory.

"If it fails, they'll just have lost some pawns, easing the pressure on the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus without too much overall loss."

Li Changshou was taken aback. He quickly stood and bowed, saying: "This disciple hadn't considered this aspect. Thank you for the insight, Great Mage."

The great mage waved it off and laughed: "Don't blame yourself. Your cultivation limits what you can see right now—it's only natural.

"Those two masters from the West aren't the type to take losses lightly."

Li Changshou nodded repeatedly and immediately reworked his plans, incorporating factors like the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus.

It didn't change much overall.

The great mage continued casting spells, revealing traces of the enemy forces sneaking up on the Donghai Long Gong in the crystal mirror.

There were as many as twelve routes!

With the Nanhai as a real battleground and the Donghai under pressure, the Western Teachings' schemes were truly cunning!

Li Changshou waited quietly for a moment. When these twelve routes of rebelling sea armies approached within thirty thousand li of the Long Gong, they were detected by the Dragon Palace.

Suddenly, war drums thundered across the Donghai. The shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and immortal flood dragons that had been lying in ambush rushed out from various spots to intercept the enemy.

Almost simultaneously, battles erupted in all directions around the Donghai Long Gong.

From within the Long Gong, several generals kept charging out, diverting portions of the stationed armies to reinforce the areas under heavy pressure.

In just half an hour, the Donghai Long Gong was vaguely surrounded by enemy forces, with waves churning and the heavens and earth in turmoil everywhere!

Inside the Long Gong, the guests looked worried,

But the Donghai Long Wang remained steadily seated on his throne, insisting that the wedding proceed as planned.

The Long Zu was projecting an air of complete composure, as if they had endless backup plans.

As true observers, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi and Li Changshou could always spot the 'dangers' near the Donghai Long Gong ahead of time.

In a secluded, uninhabited corner of the Crystal Palace, the great mage cast another spell, and the mirror showed several blurry figures.

The great mage snorted lightly, and two beams of green light flashed in his eyes. The fuzzy disguises around those figures dissipated, revealing their true appearances.

Shentong: True Mosaic Removal Technique!

These were four elders, each exuding astonishing pressure.

They had appeared less than five thousand li from the Donghai Long Gong, perfectly bypassing the outer battles!

A plump daoist opened the sack on his back, from which streams of light flew out, transforming into ranks of figures forming battle arrays.

Another tall, thin daoist with closed eyes tossed forward the pagoda in his hand, and more streams of light emerged from it.

Each of the four brought supreme treasures of heaven and earth, summoning treasures that called forth hundreds of thousands of sea clan and demon clan soldiers—the elite forces among the rebelling sea armies and deep-sea demons!

Right then, a rift suddenly tore open in the surrounding space, and a six-winged golden cicada burst out, followed by dozens of figures swiftly emerging.

Among the six leading figures, Wen Jing Dao Ren was prominently there!

At that moment, all their concealment techniques were seen through by Xuan Du Da Fa Shi and displayed in the mirror.

Xuan Du furrowed his brow and muttered: "The Western Teachings have actually nurtured so many vicious individuals. Those two shishus are truly resorting to any means to bolster their teachings."

Seeing this, Li Changshou couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Why are you smiling, Changshou?"

"This disciple just feels a bit more at ease."

Li Changshou let out a soft breath and said with a smile: "The Western Teachings' overall plan seems to be just like this.

"They're using the Nanhai Long Gong as bait to draw away most of the Long Zu experts, then having the twelve outer routes feint an attack to tie down the elites.

"Finally, with treasures of heaven and earth and spatial techniques, they'll bypass the outer battlefield for a direct surprise assault, quickly suppressing the Long Zu."

In simple terms, the enemy's arrangements didn't exceed his expectations.

But Li Changshou chose his words carefully, not daring to sound arrogant, and said:

"Though this strategy is clever, it's still within the realm of common sense and not some extraordinary scheme.

"This disciple was actually afraid they'd play outside the rules—that would be the hardest to handle."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi laughed: "Then tell me, how should we break this situation next?"

"Great Mage, you're testing this disciple again."

Li Changshou glanced at the mirror, where the numerous figures were rapidly closing in on the Donghai Long Gong, and quickly replied:

"The key to this scenario is defense and delay.

"The Donghai Long Gong must hold out for a while;

"Beyond that, we need to find a way to stall the Western Teachings' saint disciples who will fly in from the west to 'rescue' the Long Zu.

"They've put so much effort into this just for that final 'rescue' act.

"This disciple suggests we pull the rug out from under them—prevent those Western saint disciples from reaching the Donghai Long Gong today, and the situation will resolve itself."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi performed a quick divination and soon nodded with a smile.

"In that case, I'll go meet those disciples of my two shishus."

"Great Mage, it's best not to show yourself directly—the situation hasn't spiraled out of control yet."

Li Changshou added hastily: "Could you, Great Mage, divine the approximate locations of the Western Teachings' saint disciples? I'll ask an expert who's particularly effective against them to handle it. Delaying them for one or two shichen should be feasible."

"Very well."

The great mage said no more. A faint shadow of the Taiji Diagram appeared in his palm as he closed his eyes and began to divine quietly.

Just then, Li Changshou noticed that among the incoming enemies, the six-winged golden cicada that had ripped open space earlier had suddenly left the assault force and was heading deeper into the ocean.

As expected, the enemy wasn't going to overlook the Long Zu's fatal weakness.

"Found them."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi opened his eyes. "They're in the skies above Dong Sheng Shen Zhou, hidden in a patch of clouds. There are six in total, slowly making their way toward the Donghai."

"Good," Li Changshou agreed immediately. He then closed his eyes, directing his mind to the paper daoren on that deserted island.

The immortal-skinned paper daoren stood up at once, holding the fly-whisk, and hurried toward the cave.

This time, Zhao Gongming had come at just the right moment.

A hero shouldn't be left without a stage to shine.